St. Louis Fashion Week Emerging Designer Competition

I'm back today with some more coverage from St. Louis Fashion Week!  While sickness prevented me from attending some of the Fashion Week events I had originally planned, I did make it out to the Emerging Designer Competition.

Before the runway show, there were presentations by several designers.  Guest voted on these presentations to choose the winner of the $2500 prize for the "Designers to Watch" competition.

With her dark and interesting collection, designer Truly Alvarenga took home the prize!  The mermaid dress was impeccable, and the crimson maxi skirt look was cool girl chic.

Truly Avarenga

Paulie Gibson

Michael Drummond

Nasheli Ortiz

Trang Nguyen

I really enjoyed the pop-up shopping area with local designers and artists, like Michael Drummond, Cameo de Bore, Hyper Haute, and Grace Kubilius, selling their fab clothes, jewelry, and purses.

I was extremely cash poor that day, so I didn't buy anything, but I am heavily contemplating one of Grace Kubilius' necklaces.  Such a statement piece!

Grace Kubilius

Art meets fashion

I WANT ONE!! :-D

Michael Drummond
Project Runway alum, Michael Drummond's gorgeous soft knits with glittery threads are fall ready.  I really loved his creative ponchos that can be worn in multiple ways.

Adam Foster Fine Jewelry

Hyper Haute

Then, the fashion show started!

Presented by Brown Shoe Company, the winning collection took home an amazing $15,000 prize to build their collections.  Six finalists showed their Spring collections on the runway, and they did not disappoint!

Harbison Collection
My absolute favorite collection of the night was presented by Charles Harbison.  The amazing tailoring, whimsical details, and great use of color delighted me and the crowd who audibly cheered at many of his designs.  The collection had a clear 1940s vibe, while implementing modern shapes and details.  It was genius!

Remi Canarie

Wai Ming

Jessie Liu

Collina Strada

Daniella Kallmeyer
Last but not least, the grand prize winner of the night...Daniella Kallmeyer!!  Her elegant minimalist collection featured lovely pleating detail and a mostly neutral color palette of which I'm always a big fan.  The flowy white dress and pleated skirt were my favorite pieces.

A panel of fashion experts determined the winner, and judge Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week, presented Kallmeyer with the win!  But, there was a surprise twist...Charles Harbison was awarded $3500 as a runner-up, courtesy of Gary Wassner, a fashion financier and judge for the competition.

Do you have a favorite collection?  Who would get your vote and why?

*** Runway photos courtesy of Mark Schwigen for Alive Magazine